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When to Plant Feverfew in Montgomery County, NY

Montgomery County, New York Zone 5b May

Top priorities for Montgomery County, New York gardeners in May

Your Montgomery County, New York garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for May and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost May 4
Avg. first frost October 12
Soil temp (4") 59°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.5 hrs
  1. Move feverfew from tray to bed

    Your last frost (May 4) has passed. These warm-season crops can handle outdoor soil now.

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Feverfew is a bushy perennial herb with small daisy-like flowers and aromatic leaves. It has been used traditionally for headache relief and is a cheerful garden plant.

Montgomery County, New York is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost is October 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 161 days.

At an elevation of 819 feet, Montgomery County receives approximately 45.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Feverfew to ensure they mature before fall.

Montgomery County, NY (Zone 5b) Moderate season
161 days
Last Spring Frost May 4
161 growing days
First Fall Frost October 12

Montgomery County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Aug 4 – Oct 20
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Aug 10 – Oct 26
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 31 🍅 Harvest: Aug 30 – Nov 15

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Montgomery County

How your county's soil matches Feverfew's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.0–6.2) is more acidic than Feverfew prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Montgomery County is excellent for Feverfew — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.6%). Annual compost additions will help Feverfew.

How to Plant Feverfew

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Feverfew

Feverfew needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Feverfew Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Montgomery County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Feverfew Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Feverfew needs ~1,286 GDD — county provides 1,972 GDD Excellent fit

Feverfew Planting Timeline — Montgomery County, NY

Feverfew Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 11 May 11 – May 25
Harvest August 10 Aug 10 – Oct 26

Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Transplant Outdoors
June
July
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

90–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

161 days in Montgomery County

Growing Tips for Feverfew in Montgomery County

Direct sow Feverfew outdoors after May 04 in Montgomery County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Feverfew in this region include aphids and slugs. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors or direct sow on the soil surface. Deadhead regularly to prevent aggressive self-seeding. Divide clumps every 2-3 years to maintain vigor.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Feverfew in Montgomery County, NY?

Montgomery County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 4. Plan your Feverfew planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Montgomery County, NY?

Montgomery County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 4 and first fall frost is October 12.

🌱

Your Montgomery County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Montgomery County (Zone 5b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Montgomery County, NY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.